NJ lawmakers seek to restore voting rights to felons

Law to restrict people with criminal backgrounds to vote dates back to 1844

TRENTON — Policymakers in Trenton are looking over a long-standing law that would make it possible for convicted felons to vote. New Jersey state Sens. Ronald Rice, Sandra Cunningham, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumpter, along with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice announced their plan to introduce legislation they say would end New Jersey's practice of denying the right to vote to people with criminal records.

Legislative leaders are looking for Gov. Murphy's support, and say passing this legislation could be a start to the social justice the governor campaigned on.